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Padres promote Portillo, 20, to Texas League

Padres promote Portillo, 20, to Texas League

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Adys Portillo

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SAN DIEGO -- Adys Portillo, who was ranked as the Padres' 16th-best prospect by MLB.com before the season and has pitched his way to even higher regard within the organization, made his last start for Class A Fort Wayne on Thursday.

His next stop: Double-A San Antonio.

Portillo, a 20-year-old right-hander, was told after Thursday's start in Cedar Rapids that he'll make the jump over the California League and report to San Antonio and the Texas League.

Portillo allowed one run in six innings on Thursday. He allowed four hits and struck out three for a final line that saw him go 6-6 with a 1.87 ERA and 54 hits allowed and 81 strikeouts in 91 2/3 innings

"We think that he is ready for the challenge," said Randy Smith, the Padres' vice president of player development. "I wouldn't be surprised if he struggles some, but for us it's a better pitching environment and a little truer indicator."

Portillo will become the seventh-youngest player in the Texas League at 20 years, 211 days.

According to Baseball America, the youngest player in the Texas League is Rangers shortstop prospect Jurickson Profar (19 years, 41 days).

Portillo was part of the Padres' 2008 international draft class that cost the team nearly $5 million to sign five players. Portillo's signing bonus ($2 million) was the highest.

He struggled at Fort Wayne a year ago (7.11 ERA in 23 games) but sizzled with the TinCaps most of this season.

"His fastball command has been better and just consistency of his secondary stuff," Smith said. "It was just the consistency from outing to outing. He's done what you're supposed to do."